Councillors have blocked the investment group's attempt to have the Kilkenny County development plan amended so that it could build 13 extra new houses on the estate.

A submission made on Tetrarch's behalf to a council official said Tetrarch was looking to "further develop the estate in a manner that will positively contribute towards meeting the expenditure requirement of the estate, ensuring that Mount Juliet can compete in both the national and international market".

"We feel the proposed variation was and remains justified given the extremely low density housing provision across the Estate at present, and the modest level of additional housing envisaged under the existing Development Plan," Tetrarch told the Sunday Independent:

"The proposal was underpinned by our commitment to ensure any new residential development would be sensitive to the landscape, heritage and existing development within Mount Juliet," it added, saying its plan was supported by the Kilkenny County Council executive.

"We are naturally disappointed by last Monday's vote, but remain committed to enhancing Mount Juliet, and ensuring its long-term position as Ireland's pre-eminent golf resort for residents and visitors alike".

Tetrarch bought Mount Juliet in 2014 and its portfolio also includes the Citywest Hotel, Mount Wolseley in Carlow and the plush Marker Hotel in Dublin's Docklands.

It has been working on developing a 158-bedroom 'budget boutique' hotel at Sackville Place in Dublin, and a 159-unit aparthotel off Pearse Street in the capital,

In an interview with the Sunday Independent earlier this year Damien Gaffney, the head of Tetrarch's hospitality division, said the group hoped to attract the Irish Open golf event back to Mount Juliet.

Scottish golfer Sam Torrance won the last Irish Open played there in 1995, with German Bernhard Langer winning at the estate in 1994.